Flood stage of the Ping river here in Chiang Mai is determined by rain fall and the little hands on the gates up river. August/September are the months that are normally of concern for floods. I do not remember heavy rains like we have been having this early, so when the upstream lakes are deemed full enough and some little fellow decides he wants to water the fisht downstream, watch out.

Flood stage of the Ping river here in Chiang Mai is determined by rain fall and the little hands on the gates up river. August/September are the months that are normally of concern for floods. I do not remember heavy rains like we have been having this early, so when the upstream lakes are deemed full enough and some little fellow decides he wants to water the fisht downstream, watch out.

Right, but as there is more room in the overall system in May, they can release water only to the level where it can properly make its way down. Or choose not to release too much yet, or go very slow.

It would be very interesting to know to what extent "national" level planning for flooding conditions comes into play on decisions to release how much water, and when to release it, from the reservoirs that directly affect the Ping River valley.

Ayudhya, and other places south of here, have already had flooding this year, and what is "our water" now does become "their water" in a month or two.

We will never forget several years ago when, just outside our house, the water in the little soi was over thirty-inches high, and the current was so strong you could barely walk against it: never forget watching how it came in the kitchen and slowly crept-up, fortunately stalling before it hit the power outlet level. But, many of our neighbors, whose houses were not, like ours, "built-up," had their ground-level floors full of nasty water that left behind it a nasty mud. The lawn inside our walls never recovered, and now we are going to wait again, another year, until flood-season is past to restore it.

It would be very interesting to know to what extent "national" level planning for flooding conditions comes into play on decisions to release how much water, and when to release it, from the reservoirs that directly affect the Ping River valley.

Ayudhya, and other places south of here, have already had flooding this year, and what is "our water" now does become "their water" in a month or two.

We will never forget several years ago when, just outside our house, the water in the little soi was over thirty-inches high, and the current was so strong you could barely walk against it: never forget watching how it came in the kitchen and slowly crept-up, fortunately stalling before it hit the power outlet level. But, many of our neighbors, whose houses were not, like ours, "built-up," had their ground-level floors full of nasty water that left behind it a nasty mud. The lawn inside our walls never recovered, and now we are going to wait again, another year, until flood-season is past to restore it.

best, ~o:37;

As you say Orang: Priceless will have all the facts at his fingertips I'm sure! As for Mapguy, it would certainly be a rarity if he had anything useful to add!

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One thing that would be perhaps good to note is that also at this time of year you can of course get flash floods right after heavy rain; that's just the drains not coping with a sudden downpoor. Sustained and more serious flooding would be caused by the river, which may happen near the end of the rainy season, say around September.

Just wanted to get that in there before someone posts a picture of some rainwater filled sois.

One thing that would be perhaps good to note is that also at this time of year you can of course get flash floods right after heavy rain; that's just the drains not coping with a sudden downpoor. Sustained and more serious flooding would be caused by the river, which may happen near the end of the rainy season, say around September.

Just wanted to get that in there before someone posts a picture of some rainwater filled sois.

I think they are digging out all the water lily type of growth that has taken over parts of the river. This growth could/would slow water flow and collect river flotsam when the high water time comes....just my guess though